Dyeing machine



Fe1,9,1932. 1 H. SCHROEDER 1,844,798

DYEING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 4, 1928 cen-rewanz. i pump H.,ckroeder Patented Feb. 9, 1932 UNITED sTA'rEs z o I 1,8,'.4,798v

PATENT oFFicE i HAROLD SCHBOEDER, CEATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOB. TOSHITH, DRUK COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION 'OFPENNSYL- VARIA. i

DYEING MACHINE Application filed December 4, 1928, Serial No. 323,748.Benewed January' 30, 1980.

This invention relates to the art of dyeing and particularly to machinesfor dyeing silk, rayon or other material in the skein, the presentmachine being particularly adapted for dyeing, though not limitedthereto.

Two general methods for dyeing rayon are i in use today, one in whichthe movement of v should permit the skeins of rayon to ,have

the skeins is intermittent and second in which the skeins arecontinually in motion. There is no particular difliculty in the art ofdyeing yeither acetate rayon or reconstituted cellulose rayon so as tosecure an even and thorough dye at least in so far as direct and similardyes are concerned, but the main difficulty With any method of dyeingrayon in skeins lies in the effect of the dyeing Operations on thesubsequent winding of the rayon from the skein on to a bobbin or cop. Itis, therefore, a requisite of any method of dyeing rayon that 'themethod must-produce in the Iirst place work which is as level or even aspossible and that in the second place, the method tion because no properand even dyeingcan| be secured unless the dye bath and the yarn are inmotion relative to one another; if the yarn be still the bath must 'bein motion,

- and on the other hand if the bath is not in motion, the yarn must be.There have been methods proposed whereby the yarn is kept rigidly inplace during the dyeing operation but these 'have not been generallysuccessful because the attainment of perfect mechanical circ ilation inthe dye bath is something very di cult to obtain and hard to maintain.

Such methods usually require closed machines operated under pressure andthis itself introduces difliculties in securing even shade and evenbrightness.

The general object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a new andimproved means Whereby rayon or other yarn in skeins can be evenly dyedwith a minimum of handling, which means shall be simple and capable ofgeneral application.

A further object is to provide means whereby a Constant circulation ofthe dye stuff may be secured and thus the necessary agitation secured,and to provide means whereby the yarn in the skein may be dyed eitherwith the yarn entirely out of the dye vat or with the yarn partly orfully immersed' in the dye vat as desired.

further object and a most important one is to provide a construction ofthis Character wherein the skeins are held upon the reel with the yarnin a separated condition and floating upon a film of dye liquor formedlaround the upper portion of the reel, and

passing down into the tanl or vat, and a fur-y ther object in thisconnection is to provide means of this character which shall evenlydistribute the yarn over the periphery of the reel and prevent the yarnfrom beooming tangled or prevent the yarn from lying upon the reel withone skein overlapping the other, and in this connection to provide meansat the ends of the reel which will prevent the dye liquor issuing fromthe perforations from sweeping the yarn off of the reel, such meanseliminating the necessity of the operator constantly readjusting theyarn, or preventing its floating oif over the ends of the reel.

A further object is to provide a reel which may be fromtime to time, asthe dyer wishes, rotated to secure a more even applicationio the dye tothe yarn.

A further object is to so discharge the streams of dye through the reelthat 'they will cause the skeins to open up and straighten out so thatthe fibers of the skeins will be parallel, the steady and gentle flow ofliquor produced through the perforations of the reel tending to keep theskein in its original condition and preserve its winding quality.

A still further object is to provide rollers with which the lower endsof the skeins are engageable when the reel is turned to raise the skeinsto thus smooth out the yarn and keep it taut and straightened out andprevent the lower ends of the skein from floating lupward in the dyebath, thus preventing the formation of bubbles `ipon the surface of thedye liquor which tends to cause the oxidation of the dyes.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein oFigure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an apparatus for dyeingskeins constructed in accordance with my invention Figure 2 is avertical sectional view through the skein supporting reel or drum;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the reel, theweighted rod and theskein showing the skein raised by the reel and lifting the rod.

Referring to Figure 1, which shows the general arrangement of the dyevat or bath, the reel and allied parts, 10 designates the dye vat ortank. Extending into the dye vat adjacent the top thereof is a tubularshaft 11 which is rigidly connected to the reel which is designatedgenerally 12, this shaft 11 being mounted in bearings 13 and carrying agear 14 whereby the shaft may from time to time be rotated. Acentrifugal pump 15 is provided with the upwardly'extending pipe 16which has a stuffing box 17 into which the extremity of the pipe 11extends. The valve 18 controls the flow of liquor from the pump to thepipe 11. From the lower end of the tank 10 extends a pipe 19 which isperforated within the ytank. and this pipe 19 constitutes the inlet pipefor the pump 15 and extends thereinto. The pipe 19 is provided with asteam inlet 20 and intersecting the pipe 19 is a pipe 21extending'upward to a small tank or receptacle 22 into which fresh dyeor salt may be placed. The discharge pipe 16 has extending from it thesmall pipe 23 which discharges into .the receptacle 22 so that thus newdye or salt is conducted to the pump by this bleed pipe 23. The tank 10is, of course, provided with a drain pipe 24.

So far I have outlined the general features of a dyeing machineconstructed in accordance with my invention. The special feature whichis particularly important is the particular construction of the reel 12which will now specifically describe. Preferably, though I do not wishto be limited to the exact shape and details except as stated in theclaims, the reel is in cross section oval with its central axis disposedadj acent one of the foci of the oval. In the particular exampleillustrated the ratio of the radii of the top portion of the reelrelative to the radii of the lower portion is approximately one to threeand one-half but I have found a ratio of one to three will give goodresults. I believe that the ratio should be between one to two and oneto four.

The reel is mounted upon the tubular shaft which is concentric to thelongitudinal or rotative axis of the drum or reel but I do not wish tobe limited to this exact form as this portion of the drum or reel mightbe circular. I do not wish to be limited to the exact form of the`perforat-ions. These perforations may be round or they may be in theform of llongitudinally elongated slots and these slots may be instaggered relation to each other or extend longitudinally nearly theentire length of the drum or reel. The perforations are placed.sufliciently close together so that there will be no imperforateportions upon which the skeins of yarn can rest.

Extending around the drum or reel from the point ,'1/ to the point ateach end of the perforated portion of the drum or reel is a rim orflange 26. Extending radially outward from the ends of the perforatedportion of the reel are arms- 27. Any number of these arms may be used.It will be noted that the arms 27 extend radially outward for a distanceat right angles to the axis of the reel and then extend laterallyoutward. This is so as to prevent the yarn from Climbing outward uponthe arms. The flange or the arms keep the yarn on the drum and the yarnwill not climb if the flange or arms are straight as far up as the yarntouches. Preferably also the rods 27a are provided extendingtransversely across the tank 10 which confines the yarn and assist inpreventing the yarn from passing off the reel or drum.

The arms and the rim or flange and also the' rods 27 prevent the skeinsfrom working ofi` either one or both ends of the reel, thus eliminatingthe necessity of the dyer pushingl the skeins back on to the reel everylittle while. If no arms are used, then the rim 26 must haveconsiderable depth in order to prevent the rayon from coming off.

It will be understood that the liquor issu= ing from the perforations 12is in such quantity and at such pressure as to tend to lift the yarn offof the reel so that practically all the yarn rises and fioats on thefilm of dye. Assuming that a'circular reel is used with the pump turnedon and the yarnfslightly lifted by the film of dye liquor, now it willbe obvious that if the reel be turned, that that part of the yarn whichcontacts with the reel will turn first and that part which ispushed upby the flow -of liquor will be delayed in turning so that the lay orarrangement of the skein will be disarranged unless every part of theyarn is resting upon and engaged with the metal of the reel. I

With the yarn floating upon the reel, it is necessary to provide meansat the ends of the reel for preventinglvthe yarnfrom floating off and doaway with the necessity of paying constant attention to prevent this.This is secured by the flanges or arms at the ends of the reel whichprevent this movementl of the yarn. It is, however, alsoabsolutelnecessary to provide the fianges 26 whether the arms 27 areusedor not in order to prevent the dye liquor from flowinglongitudinally of the reel and escaping over the ends thereof. Withoutthese flanges, I have found that the yarn is not lifted by a thin filmof dye liquor from the' face of the perforated tube but without thesefianges, the skeins `'may be pushed to and fro upon the perforated tubeand ofl' the ends of the reel easily. I have found in practice that theliquidissuing from the prefor-ations 12 in the reel acts to shift theskeins across the reel so that the skeins become evenly distributed andSo that the yarn becomes evenly distributed without one skein lying overanother. Thus there are no vacant places alongthe reel through whichjets of dye liquoi' are spurting.

With my elliptical reel, when it is turned, the lower part rises andlifts the yarn just as though the operator had his arm through theskein. There is no sliding between the reel and the yarnbecause theturning of the'skein does not in this "case depend upon friction betweenthe yarn and the reel.

Normally the perforated portion as before stated, is upward and the dyeliquor forced out through these perforations Streaming downward upon theskeins, will straighten them out so that the fibers are parallel and thesteady flow of liquor tends to keep the arrangement of the skein in itsoriginal condition and to preserve its winding quality.

`While I have illustrated a yarn reel of a peculiar form in crosssection, I do not wish to lbe limited to this particularshape except asstated in the claims as the yarn reel might be a true oval'or a -trueellipse in cross section but in any case the perforations which `permitthe dye liquor to flow through from the inside to the' outside do notextend over all of the surface of the reel as this Would defeat theobject of the Vreel although it would, of course, maintain thecirculation of the dye bath. The perforations do not extend beyond that.part of the reel which would be covered by the skeins when hanging downVnormally and duringthe operation of the machine when the reel is notrotating, it is so disposed at all times that the perforations or slitsare uppermost and never so that the perforations or slits are pointin'gdownward. It is to be also understood that there' is no necessity forthe continual motion of the yarn reels.

- These reels may be given a rotary motion which is continuous ifdesired or intermittent at the pleasure and control of the dyeroperating the machine or they need not be given any rotatory motion atall at the pleasure of the dyer. a

Preferably, a weight in the form of a roller or rod is disposed belowthe reel at such a distance that normally, when the reel is disposed inthe position shown in' Figure 1, the roller will not be engaged by theskeins A but that when the reel is turned so as 'to `carry theperforated portion of the reel downward, this will raise the skeins andbring the skeins into engagement with the roller and this lifts theroller slightly. This roller must be sufliciently heavy to smoth out theyarn. The weight of the roller, of course,\would have to var with theweight of the -yarn being dyed an I have illustrated Springs 30 u'rgingthe roller downward and' resisting upward pull of the skeins, though Ido not wish to be limited to the use of these Springs. -Preferably theends of the roller will be mounted in Vertical slots or guides 31 solocatedrand of such length that the roller, as before stated issupported away from the lower ends of the skeins but will be engaged bysaid skeins when the skeins are raised by rotating the reel into theposition'` shown in Figure 3. The action' of this roller 29 is to causethe yarn to be smoothed out whenever reel was concentrically mounted thebottom i roller would alwaysbe in contact with the yarn; there would 'beno lift of the bottom roll and no intermittent tensioning of the yarn asabove described. I regard this bottom roller as being of particularvalue in ythat 'Without it the lower end of the skeins will tend to riseor fioat to thetop of the bath. This in time would tanglethe yarn.

By usingv the bottom roller 29, the lower end of the skeinst-ill canfloat but its upward travel is limited and its side travel is alsolimited because the roller 29 extends entirely across the tank. By usingthis1 lower roller, the skein can only fioat about six inches -whereaswithout this roller, the skein canand does fioat to the top of the dyebath about twenty inches. When my oval reel is turned so that itslongest radius is upward as in Figure 3, the yarn is drawn against thebottom roll'and this will tend to straighten the skein and start thingsoif ag'ain as they should be. My construction permits an operation Witha bath at any height even with the yarn submerged. This to dyers is amost important and vital feature.

Furthermore by preventing fioatation of the lower ends of the yarn -tothe top of the dye bath, the dye flowing down the skeins does not tendto cause bubbles to form upon the surface of the dye bath and,therefore, Jhere is less tendency of oxidation of the While Ihaveillustrated the level ofthe dye bath as being approximately an inch anda half below the lower end of the reel, no radical difierence inoperation would be involved by placing the reel downward in the tank sothat the level would be above the reel. Thus the level of the dye bathmay be changed at the Wish of the dyer. Dark shades are best dyed inrelatively strong dye baths. Light shades are dyed best in what arecalled long baths, that is, dilute dye baths. This is easilyaccomplished by my machine and is something which so far as I know isunique with my mechanism.

While I have heretofore referred to the use of dye in the tank 10, it isto be understood that this machine may also be used for the purpose ofWashing the yarn after dyeing and this may be accomplished with none ofthe yarn under Water, simply by turning city Water or Water from anyother suitable source into the hollow reels. This will save wash Water.

The circulation of the dye bath, as before stated, is obtained bythepump 15 so that a constant movement of the exhausted dye liquor into thepump and dye may be added to this dye liquor through the pipe 21 aspreviously explained. This constant circulation of the dye bathfhowever,does not in any Way deleteriously affect the skeins, inasmuch as theskeins. cannot be floated off from the reel.

The construction which I have devised is a very ,simple one, the dyeliquor is given a constant circulation while the skeins of yarn aremoved as little as possible When necessary. With this machine, theskeins of yarn, while opened up bythe gentle flow of dye liquor, are notmoved and thus the skeins are in such condition that the yarn therefromcan be readily wound on cops or bobbins. At any time it is desired, thereels may be turned so that the dye will discharge straight down- Wardand at any time desired, the reels may be turned so as to prevent theyarn from floating,` and at this time the yarn is rendered taut andstraightened out. a

While I have illustrated a construction which in detail has been foundto be particularly efl'ective, I do not wish to be limited to thedetails so far described, except within the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim 1. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a tank and a skein supportinghollow reel disposed above the tank, the hollow reel being approximatelyoval in cross section, a portion of the reel being perforated, theremainder of the reel being imperforate, manually controllable meansWhereby the reel may be rotated from time to time as desired and meansfor conducting dye liquor into the interior of the hollow reel.

2. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a skein supporting reel, the reelbeing approximately oval in cross section, a rotatable dye delivery pipesupporting the reel and .dischargin into the interior thereof,'the axisof the pipeeing approximately coincident with one of the foci of theellipse, that portion of the reel extending around thatl end of the ovaladjacent its axis being perforated.

3. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a skein supporting reel, the reelbeing approximately oval in cross section, a rotatable dye delivery pipesupporting the reel and discharging into the interior thereof, the axisof' the pipe being approximately coincident with one of the foci of ,theoval, that portion of the reel extending around that end of the ovaladjacent its axis being perforated, the reel adjacent its ends beingformed With a rim;

o 4. In a machine for 'dyeing skeins, a skein supporting reel, the reelbeing approximately oval in cross section, a rotatable dye delivery pipesupporting the reel and discharging into the interior thereof, the axisof the pipe being approximately coincident with one of the foci of theoval, that portion of the reel extend-' ing around that end of the ovaladjacent its axis being perforated, the reel adjacent its ends beingformed with means preventing the skeins from moving off the reel.

5. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a skein supporting reel, the reelbeing approximately oval in cross section, a rotatable dye delivery pipesupporting the reel and discharging into the interior thereof, the axisof the pipe being approximately coincident with one of the foci of theoval, that portion of the reel extending around that end of the ovaladjacent its axis being perforated, the reel adjacent each end beingprovided with a rim and With more or less radially extending arms.

6. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a reel for supporting the skeins inconnection with the dye vat, the reel being hollow and being mountedforA rotation around an eccentric axis, the portion of the reel adjacentthe axis of rotation being curved and perforated, means for supplyingdye liquor to the interior of the reel, and means Whereby the reel maybe rotated.

7. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a reel for supporting the skeins inconnection with adye vat, the reel being hollow and being mounted forrotation around an eccentric axis, the portion of the reel adj acent theaxis above the level of the dye bath, while stretchof rotation beingcurved and perforated ing the skein longitudinally as it is lifted.

means for supplying dye liquor to the' interior of the reel, meanswhereby the reel may be rotated as the operator desires, and meansexerting a downward pull upon the skeins carried by the `ree1 when thereel is turned, with the perforated portion of the reel downward.

8. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a reel for supporting the skeins inconnection with a dye vat, a rod mounted in the dye vat below 1the reeland around which the skeins are' adapted to pass, the rodrbeing sodisposed Within the dye vat that it will not normally engage the skeins,and means for intermittently lifting the skeinsby the reel to thus vcause the weight of the rod to bear against the skeins and straightenthem.

9. In a'machine for dyeing skeins, a dye vat, a hollow reel forsupporting the skeins 'in the dye vat, the reel'being mounted forrotation around an eccentric axis and the reel being approximatelyelliptical in cross section, the portion of the reel adjacent the axisofv rotation beingffcurved and perforated, a rod mountad within the dyevat below the reel and adapted to pass through the skeins, the rod beingsupported normally above the lower ends of the skeins and having freeupward movement whereby when the reel is turned in a/position to directthe perforated portion thereof downward, the skeins willLbe raised andengage and lift the rod, means for 14. A method of dyeing which consistsin intermittently rotating a skein of yarn with' the -lower portion ofthe skein immersed in a dye bath while dscharging dye upon the upperportion of the skein to cause the dye to flow down over the skein andintermittentv ly lifting the skein to carry its lower end signature. t

` HAROLD SCHROEDER.

suppling dye liquor to the interior of the f reel, and means whereby thereel may be rotatedsby the dyer.

10. In a machine for dyeinglskeins, a reel for supporting the skeins inconnection with a dye vat, the reel being hollow and perforated andbeing mounted for rotation around an eccentric axis, the interior of thereel being connected to a source of dye liquor.

11. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a reel for supporting the skeins inconnection with a dye vat, the reel being hollow and mounted forrotation, around an eccentric axis, the periphery of the reel adjacentthe axis being perforated, and means `for supplying dye liquor to theinterior of the reel. r

12. A dyeing machine of the character described, including a tank, ahollow 'yarn reel mountetl above the tank for rotation around aneccentric axis, the reel having a portion of its periphery perforated,the remainder being imperforate, means for taking dye liquor fromthetank and discharging it into the perforated reel, and means wherebythe reel may be continuously or intermittently turned at the -will ofthe operator.

13., The method of dyeingskeins of yarn which consists in intermittentlyrotating a skein of 'yarn with the lower portion of the skein immersedin a dye bath, .and as it is rotated raising the yarn to carry its lowerend

